Fox News has a slide show on the addresses of the presidents to the nation from the oval office in the broadcast age. It is very enlightening. For the most part, we see how past presidents have used the occasion to address the nation in the time of national crises, often when the very existence of the nation was at stake, or had been secured.

There slides represent 11 of the last 13 presidents and details what their initial address was about, and any subsequent addresses. From Roosevelt assuring a nation devastated by depression to H.W. Bush telling us we were going to war with Iraq, the initial addresses are all greatly important and are recorded in the annals of our history.

But 2 stand out for another reason. They stand out for how inconsequential and small they are in the grand scheme of things affecting our nation. Not that they are unimportant, only that the reason for the address seems less to do with the health and safety of the nation, and more to do with whining to America how ineffectual the man is.

The first, some may not remember as it was before their time. It was Jimmy carter's "malaise" speech. Jimmy Carter, it has been said by many historians, was the worst president of the 20th century, at the very least the worst of the 2nd half of the 20th century. And one of the prime reasons was his inability to lead the nation. And the prime example of that inability is often called his Malaise Speech. One thing historians do agree on is that it was a bad speech and very bad timing.

The second example is our current president. Widely criticized from both sides of the aisle for his handling of the Gulf Oil Spill, he decided to make his first Oval Office Speech a sequel to the Malaise speech. I guess even he is starting to believe that he is the second, or worse, coming of Jimmy Carter. While the oil spill is bad, it is not a national catastrophe. Not does it stand on equal footing with the likes of JFK, RWR or even GHWB.

It is another testament to the incompetence of the man from hope and change. (I say from because he has taken that from the American People.)

I guess we should not complain. Of the slides listed int he article link, 9 of them showed at least a competent president at a time of great significance (not mediocre or made up) to the American People. Only 2 were pathetic. Out of almost 80 years of president, (and fortunately only - or hopefully - only 8 years of gross incompetence), that represents only 10% of the time we have to endure abject failure.

Jimmy Carter is indeed smiling. His name is about to be erased from the record books.

Jimmy Carter, it has been said by many historians, was the worst president of the 20th century, at the very least the worst of the 2nd half of the 20th century...Jimmy Carter is indeed smiling. His name is about to be erased from the record books.

No matter how bad Obama is/becomes, he's never going to be the worst president of the 20th Century .

It is another testament to the incompetence of the man from hope and change. (I say from because he has taken that from the American People.)

This reminded me of a discussion with my son and his girlfriend (both in their early 20s). He was teasing her because she voted for Obama. I asked her why and she said "for change". Poor thing, that slogan was all she knew.

And now, poor us.....for Obama's "hope and change" is none other than implementing Marxist/Socialism and for this I'd say Obama has been competent.

While the oil spill is bad, it is not a national catastrophe.

But you know Liberals can't waste a crisis...while this is front and center, they are feverishly passing laws that strip away our freedom. The latest is one of free speech....

It seems that Infadel has learned a new word to describe himself and is using it all over the forums. I let it stand in one thread, but unfortunately I detest repetition, so will be forced to delete it in the others.

I'm just wondering if this guy (Obama) will ever make a speech that doesn't blame someone, something else for any issue? Someone should do a montage of the "Blamer in Chief", it's not like there is not enough material available.

I'm just wondering if this guy (Obama) will ever make a speech that doesn't blame someone, something else for any issue? Someone should do a montage of the "Blamer in Chief", it's not like there is not enough material available.

Despite the blatherings of his useful idiots, the man was trained to do just that, and knows no other way. He is not some type of Genius, but is a very useful tool for the rabid left. He does not know how to "do" only how to "blame".

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